Murder on the Prairie - Julie Short - Bog

In June, 1943, confirmed bachelor, loner, State Department agent, Carson Grey, no sooner returns from an assignment in Europe, when he is given another at a newly constructed ammunitions plant in an expanding rural community in southern Wisconsin. The body of Peter Franke was found on the property of the plant. Franke, a colleague/rival of Carson's, was sent to work at the plant undercover as a Land Negotiator. His job was to acquire land from area farmers for the plant to be built, but along the way he also acquired dozens of enemies from his heavy handed methods of removing farmers and other abuses of power. Local Sheriff, Ben Lyman, a widowed, single dad, tries to help Carson, but his burgeoning community, lack of resources, and family obligations tie up most of his time. Ben's suggestion to Carson to begin the investigation at the plant brings Carson an unexpected surprise. SHE is also working there. SHE is Laura Bradshaw, the love of his life who left him for Peter and has a secret no one can know. Her abrupt departure from work on the day Peter's body was discovered, and unwillingness to say why she left work only heightens her profile as a prime suspect. Carson has to come to terms with his conflicting feeling about Laura and her possible involvement with Peter's death. When attempts to derail Carson from finding out the truth start happening, he is more motivated to find answers and reasons for Peter's death. Carson's biggest puzzle is trying to find out the identity of the person who stays in the shadows and is always one step ahead of him and the law. The stranger's arrival to the community is suspect, especially since he seems to know recent local events. He doesn't allow anyone to clearly see his face and he goes out of his way to imitate Carson's life. Who is he? What does he have against Carson? Why is Laura so resistant to cooperate with the investigation? What is she hiding? Or, did the farmers hate Peter enough to kill him? Unless Carson is able to peel away the many layers of subterfuge, Peter's killer may very well get away with murder.